Washington's Mike Thibault has won the WNBA coach of the year, said a person familiar with the situation.

He will receive the award Saturday night in Washington before the Mystics face Atlanta in the second game of the Eastern Conference semifinals, the person said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no official announcement has been made.

Thibault has won the award three times (2006 and 2008) now matching Van Chancellor for the most ever in league history. He also joined San Antonio coach Dan Hughes as the only coach to win the award with two different teams.

Thibault came to Washington this season after getting let go by Connecticut in November. Washington was 11-57 in the two years prior to his arrival. On Thursday night, the Mystics won their first playoff game in nine years, routing Atlanta on the road. This came after the Mystics won 17 games in the regular season.

Minnesota Lynx forward Maya Moore (23) and Atlanta Dream guard Angel McCoughtry (35) go after a rebound in the first quarter of game one of the WNBA Finals at Target Center.
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Atlanta Dream guard Tiffany Hayes (15) drives to the basket while defended by Minnesota Lynx guard Seimone Augustus (33) in the second quarter in game one of the WNBA Finals at Target Center.
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Seattle Storm's Tanisha Wright, left battles with Minnesota Lynx's Maya Moore (23) and Rebekkah Brunson (32) with Storm's Noelle Quinn, right for a rebound during the first half of an WNBA basketball playoff game in Tacoma, Wash. on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013.
John Froschauer, AP

Minnesota Lynx's Rebekkah Brunson comes up with a lose ball with Seattle Storm's Tina Thompson chasing during the first half of a WNBA basketball playoff game in Tacoma, Wash. on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013.
John Froschauer, AP

Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) is congratulated by teammate guard Alexis Hornbuckle (14) during the against the Los Angeles Sparks in the first half during Game 2 of a WNBA basketball Western Conference semifinal series at US Airways Center.
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Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks in the first half during Game 2 of a WNBA basketball Western Conference semifinal series at US Airways Center.
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Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker (3) talks with teammates on the court against the Phoenix Mercury in the first half during Game 2 of a WNBA basketball Western Conference semifinal series at US Airways Center.
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